For many people with disabilities, the most difficult part of employment is often the commute to work. Using public transportation or driving a car is hardly an option for people with severe physical disabilities, especially in the city area. With a commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for all, Coupang joined the Good-Hearted Shuttle Alliance in June 2021 to support the safe commuting of workers with disabilities in Korea.

Together with six other organizations, including SK Telecom and the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Coupang started operating specially equipped shuttle buses between the homes and workplaces of hundreds of workers with disabilities. Other signatories are the Korea Innovation Foundation, Daejeon Creative Economy Innovation Center, Happy Connect, and Everyone’s Shuttle.

Coupang is reinvesting the government subsidies it receives for hiring elderly workers to fund the operation of the shuttle service. SK Telecom, the country’s largest mobile operator, is leading the business planning and management of the program.

“We will actively support the nationwide expansion of Good-Hearted Shuttle, which has high social value,” said Ki-ryeong Kim, vice president of HR CoE (Center of Excellence) at Coupang. “Coupang will help create a virtuous cycle so that sustainable jobs can be provided to the socially vulnerable.”